I am committing to my days, all that I can give - and the clarity that I attain from that will help me embrace all that my day commits to me.
We hope to share here with you some little gesture to start you off in the right direction each day. A quote, a thought, an observation… it is our desire to give you a variety of influence to ignite all of your senses as you greet the mornings and embrace everything that is before you each and every day.

"Begin and Believe"....."Together we will have, be and do things that yesterday thought impossible".....“Are You Waiting or Are You Creating?" ..... "Whatever you are, Be a Good One."

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I was asked once why people should relate to me. What do I have that my readers can relate to. I thought about it, and I realized I am one of my readers. The things we share at AYD and the business opportunities we offer are part of self realization and if I can make that path for someone else, a little easier to follow or discover, then that is what I want to do. People that come to AYD will find that I am no different than they are. Just trying to enhance my life in all aspects so that I, and we, can focus on truly living fulfilled and experiencing all we should be, without the clutter we so easily put in front of our dreams, desires and ability to see all the wonder that is waiting to be experienced.
My name is Pierre Couturier, and I want to live life to the fullest appreciation.

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Welcome to AYD, and may this be the start of great things to come.
Pierre

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"What can we do, starting today, to build lasting success?"...."We all want to be part of something. We all want to feel great about the choices we make."

Sunday, September 23, 2018

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”
- Marie Curie

It had taken me a long time. A long time to understand what gifts I possessed. And then, when I stopped clouding myself with desperation, and took a moment to breathe, it was all so clear. When you give in to a moment and believe in yourself, and wrap yourself up in that blanket of belief, draw closer to you those who believe in you as well … then you can begin to watch the transformation take shape.

It is then that even the costs we encounter seem so minimal to the abundance that comes our way.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."- Robert Louis Stevenson

Recently it came to my attention, how very little effort it took to create the beginning of a positive interaction in our lives. We made friends with our neighbors. It is not that it was hard, it actually stands out because it was rather easy to do. But the planting of that seed makes you see how much easier life is when you take the moment and the sincerity to do so.

And, of course, as these thoughts passed over my overactive mind, I also thought of the other seeds we have planted...and the positive relationships that make our life more enjoyable because of them. And then, thoughts of those friends who took the time to get to know us first.

It is a very good feeling to carry with you ... when you see the seeds you plant, grow into a solid relationship; working or daily acquaintance or personal friend.

There was a time in my life when I had to honestly say there was really not many people I could count on. Today, I would have to say, I have a "garden" that many would envy.
And I am thankful.

"If you start today to do the right thing, you are already a success even if it doesn't show... yet." - John Maxwell

Keep it simple. Keep it Easy to understand. One step forward. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that success, be it toward a goal, or just a good day - it need not be over thunk to be reachable. Yes, I said "thunk". And now you will too. As you start your day with the right thoughts and actions to get you where you need to be.

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; i...t is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is a great discussion. Friendship.
More than that, it is a great feeling.
I cannot say much more than that this morning without muddying the whole thing.
Call a friend. Share some laughs. Spread some forgiveness. Keep what matters close to mind. There is an element of you that breathes because friends appreciate it and share in it.
Call a friend.

Good Morning, Greater day. Greater you, is a map for others to see how to be greater too.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Author to my day.

"A good plan executed right now is highly preferable to a great plan executed next week." - General George Patton

Plan. Act. One step. One plus one is two, and the progress begins.

Procrastination is my arch enemy. I do not procrastinate because I am lazy. Not even sure I would call it procrastinating. I think it is more I "lack-prioritizing". It is a different condition. It has some of the same symptoms, certainly some of the same results, but not as hurtful as "procrastinator".

See, I have too many things on the go. So I scramble from room to room, task to task, doing a little here and a little there. Topping up, touching up, marking up and my wife's favorite - writing up more notes for me to do more stuff related to this stuff again later.

A good plan right now - with a double helping of focus - and wow, how amazing might I appear to be. Got to go now... I feel today is going to bring me a moment where I may be standing on the couch with a fan and a cape. Try it - the planning thing I mean - do something today instead of next week and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

“Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”- Black Panther, 2018

Need an example?

How about any time you say or hear, “This is how we’ve always done it.”
Start there.
Or, for more of a personal “enhance your life” example?
Okay … when I was younger, I was told my cheeks made me cute. Well, I could ride that train all day, especially now that I am older and about 150 pounds more than when I was 7. But, if I thought of how to improve my “cute” from my cheeks… well… I could look at those middle aged eye brows that are starting to go in wonky directions. A little clean up there, maybe some tinting and whoa… look at that… you would see I have these blue eyes that jump in and compliment those chubby cheeks. Just like that, Improvised Improvement! (Spoiler alert - Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself either… that is an easy one.)

It can be anything really. Anything about you or anything you are good at – simply ask yourself what else can I do to be better or to enjoy this more than I have been all this time?
Have some fun with it. You have a whole weekend. You have life. You can also look up Anthony Robbins’ wonderful tool he created called the Quality Quantifier. Helps you create the mindset to make something more enjoyable or to make something you want to stop doing more despicable. Either way … makes an improvement on your power and feelings about anything. There is an improvement we all could benefit from.

The most overlooked quote ever. Inspiration can find you anywhere.
It’s 4am and I enter the cafeteria for breakfast.

I see the smile and the friendly greeting and the long walk down the hall seeing a bunch of tired, uninspired robots is a thing of the past. Five words with genuine tone have helped to alter my state that the 240 step walk had previously altered when I left my room.

We cannot always choose our physical settings but we can be open to adjusting our focus feeling while there.

I sit and eat and watch. Over 200 people come through the door past this lady. Over 200 times I hear her say, “ Good Morning. How are you ?” And she smiles every time.
And... I watch the faces change. I watch them enter, and I see them change with her greeting. You don’t see this every day here. Not at all like this. I was altered, as they are but I also get to see it. At least half of them- the effect is noticeable. It carries forward.

I get up to leave. I put my tray away. I pause for a gap in traffic. And I thank her. I tell her she’s making a difference. That I have just seen a big change. I see that she appreciates hearing it.

The day can be in danger of getting away from us before it starts. Or someone can do something so simple and we can embrace the opportunity to alter our state.

Good morning! How are you? Well right now I am grateful.
Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - thanks to a moment being around a greater someone. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

“I don’t want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me.”- Jack Nicholson, The Departed

Be prepared.

This is the kind of statement that has the principles of AYD wrapped all around it.
For now I only ask you to read it again - and consider what it means to you. And how will you shape the environments around you today ?

Whether you are faced with a hectic day at work, some difficult task, a seemingly insurmountable challenge, an emotional challenge, or choosing to chase your dream ... we all feel better if we know there is support to help us achieve the most success we can.

And there is support, all around you. You are not alone in anything you face today. Look around you. Look inside you, and assemble your team from those that you see are making the same choice... you are, to move forward. People, strengths, past victories - your team is ready for picking.

What is a Team?

Acting

Together in our Endeavors, we Achieve More.

Combining the drive and desire of like minded individuals, on the path to a common goal, creates a force with compounding momentum, destined for success.

"Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to r...emain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances."- Thomas Jefferson

Oops.... Mulligan !! I would like a Do Over please....or 6.

There are numerous times that jump right out at me that I coulda and shoulda taken a few moments to gather my thoughts and emotions before spilling the Cup of Frustration all over the desk in front of me.

Rethink the plan before you head into "battle". It will serve you well to breathe deeply and see the next step more clearly than to tilt your head high to holler and not see the hole your foot is destined for as your emotions charge before your thoughts.

There are so many lessons to be learned from these mentors of years gone by. I wish we could have invited them to join us around the dinner table when I was young.

Good Morning, Good Energy, Greater Day. Greater Unruffled you, offers a day to mold and shape.
AYD - Pierre Couturier Husband learning to iron ruffles better, Daddy checking temper, and Author of my day using a clean new page.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Yours. Do not gauge or measure or compare or demean or justify or quantify or over explain or downplay or categorize. Do not status or timeline or state the unfinished plans. Do not size them or put them on a scale of less importance.

Do .... express your joy and happiness, share the feelings of pride and accomplishment. Tell the You about some of these achievements.

Sometimes it is very healthy and motivating to remind You about what You can and have achieved. All of it.

“It's not how many friends you can count, it's how many of those you can count on.”- Anthony Liccione

I am not so vain as to think I have a perfect track record. There have been times I am sure I was a let down rather than a lift up. As I have gotten older, wiser and scarred from being let down myself ... awareness and wisdom have come to stand beside me and offer a better perspective and vantage point.

I like to think, I have become better overall, at being a reliable friend.

I may not always call. Life may hurry me around. But should they need me, I hope they know.

Our thoughts go through our rolodex and we pause on each face and name to ponder if that person would be there to carry you through a time ... but may I make a suggestion? Ask first how many of our friends would put a check mark by our name ?

If you have read this blog for awhile with me... you are seeing all these mass postings and wondering what is going on.

I got a little busy, and distracted for a couple years and only posted to FB instead of the home page here where things started to take proper shape.

Now I am trying to get all my posts archived and gathered up so that I can determine a path for AYD finally and make more of it, from it, and for my passion and family moving forward.

But... I cannot copy and paste to a word doc from facebook, and so because I want to capture all the posts on the blog, I also have to copy and paste from FB to the blog before I can copy to a word doc to then work on the posts for other future plans.

Messy right? I must be the most uneducated social media wanna be there is. Oh well ... hope you aren't too upset with all the automatic notifications. :)

"A true man never frets about his place in the world, but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star." - Edward Chapin

Sometimes we wonder what we are doing with our life. What we want to be when we "grow up". And we wonder again, when we find love, have children, or often when our world hits a bump and nothing makes sense.

Getting to know You and be comfortable is one of life's little adventures.
May we all feel the gravitation to our true nature.

My wish for you today - that you discover in some unsuspected and unplanned moment, what it feels like to just be ... You.

Sometimes, a true feeling - feels so much better without us being told how it is supposed to feel.

Good Morning, leads a Greater Day. Greater You ... Awakens along the way. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy - my true places in this world.. and when I think about it, Author to my Day.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. “- John Quincy Adams

We may not realize in a day, the impression and influence we have on others. How being our better selves is not just for us.

By being the better You for you and those you love - you also touch the day of so many others in ways that may not be evident - but you can be confident that the impression and example is valuable.
Trust in you. And enjoy your value for you are a leader.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - leading as you do. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband,Daddy and Author to my day

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people ... and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Success. It has many definitions. As it can. But do we ever stop to consider how we have succeeded? Other than financial measures, how do we identify our personal feelings of success? Dare I suggest you start your day with taking a look around inside your home, or inside yourself - and pausing for a moment for success identification.

Keeping it short and sweet today. You want something - work toward it. You are working for it - but it's hard and you are struggling? I get it, so refocus. Look at your gains and not your have not's. Look at your footprints moving forward and not way off in the distance.
Work the plan and shape the goal. When the going gets tough - you applaud the success you have already attained.

Good morning - now I have work to do.

Good morning, greater Day. Greater You - making it feel like it's not work at all. AYD - Pierre Couturier -Husband, Daddy and Author to my day.

"Out of the strain of Doing, Into the peace of the Done." - Julia Louise Woodruff

There are days that feel more burdened than others. There will be days that defy attempts to jumpstart on this more Awakened philosophy. There will be days like today.

The tasks ahead still need to be done. The list of unfinished business still needs to be addressed. The complicated strategy still needs to be found.

You can only do so much. But, you must do that much. We take a breath. We start. One thing at a time. One dreaded meeting. One challenge. One hill. One obstacle - at a time.

Now clear some clutter so your sight is less distracted by the Danger Ahead road signs. Make some room in your emotional and physical environment. Tidy up your thoughts. Take that breath.
We can only do so much. But, we can do that much.

Good morning. Greater day. Greater You will rise, from the strain of doing, into the Peace of the Done.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Always the Author of my day.

"If you want to change the way people respond to you, change the way you respond to people." - Timothy Leary

Sounds really familiar right? A lot like ' Be the change you want to see in others.' Ya, but this is a bit more personal... a little right there in your face specific example. A bit more obvious .. that we often don't catch on to.

For example - a common complaint by folks is "Nobody listens to me." Valid or not - it is an opportunity for us to ask ourselves if we give as good as we get. Have we taken that step back in order to step forward and be more into the moments of conversation, or meetings etc. What are our own patterns for listening, and being engaged?

Do we demonstrate that we are involved or do you we give the optical impression that we are distracted, or focussed on something else? This does not require in depth analysis. Try today to go be aware as you enter communication zones.. and be conscious of your response techniques.

Trust me, you will know if you your intentional attention response today, is different from what you might have offered before.

To all of those I've wronged in this way - I am sorry. Now pay attention to me next time. :)

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - responding like it matters so others know that the moment matters. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

I challenge you to a duel...or should I say I invite you to participate in a duel. Between the "Have" and "Have Not". Between the "I Want...I Wish... I Need" and the "I Have...I Did.... I Achieved".
Every time you see something today that you want, or you think of something you need ( training, material thing, feeling ) I want you to list - yes...actually write down - something that you have already achieved .

For example - I wish I could have a new car. And... I bought and have paid off my old car.

Our mission today...is simply to recognize the skills we have already displayed to get to where we are and to have attained steps and things that we wanted in our lives. Once we recognize that we already have the skills to achieve, we can begin to push ourselves to reach for the next level of our goals.

In recognizing our achievements we stand a better chance of harvesting further belief in ourselves and our abilities to grow further.

"There is only one you...Don't you dare change just because you are outnumbered." - Charles Swindoll

Five things. Five unique things about you ... that you honestly like about you.
Five things. Five other unique things, that you are proud of about yourself.
Five minutes. Five minutes to acknowledge you.
Sometimes, it is a well deserved moment that we take, to just sit back, breathe a relaxed breath...and take stock of some of our achievements, and our attributes. A moment we overlook all too often.
There is only one you. Get reacquainted.

" The way we see the problem is the problem. " - Steven Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

It is always beneficial, to take a moment away from a stressful environment, and breathe.

Pause for perspective. Imagine time has stopped and all you can see is frozen still. Now walk around the situation. Take your time. Examine the snapshot while you have "stepped" away. Allow thought to flow without the strain of rebutal or need to be explained. Look to understand.

Is our view complete? Do we see all the details from our position? Are we responding from a point of vantage, or from an inner podium of emotional charge? Are you still comfortable from your angle?
It is not always about right and wrong. Finding solution is very gratifying.

Are you willing to be part of the solution...to what may not be a problem at all.

We can often receive motivational messages with no real effect. We get it, it makes sense, we feel good about having a headline to the story about to unfold and then... life and distractions go on the attack. It comes down to stopping for a moment to not only let the message become clear, but for us to apply it to our own feelings and details so that the message bonds with what it can mean to our circumstances.

It would be great if we could just receive some great advice and then go hopping along to greet the day and have it there like an auto response - but life doesn't always work that efficiently.

So take a moment, with this and other good advice you encounter from the so many sources we have, and actually consider how it applies to you and the day before you. Take the moment to absorb and shape.

A moment to invest in yourself will allow you to better see the gold wrapped in some words.
Good morning, greater day. Greater you is in control of more. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

“Ninety-nine percent of the things you worry about never happen. Dream more, worry less and enjoy every day. It goes fast.”- John Addison

This reminds me of some other AYD moments and topics we have touched on. And like those I feel we need to take this one step further. I feel there is value in revisiting your own proof to help you not only read the good advice in Mr. Addison’s words, but to RELATE to them.

You have your own living evidence that will collaborate what he says.

So, let the life you have lived light the path again. Consider a couple times you were dominated by worry but all turned out well. It starts off that simply. ( Step two is Why did it turn out well ? ... like because you planned and executed a good plan. And repeat that. )

Bad habits. We have them. We all do. I do. What do we do about them, other than admit them? For many, admitting it is the only step. They acknowledge a bad habit, and then that acts as a free pass to continue excuses on the same path without a plan to remove the habit.

So, with that, can we try to acknowledge a plan on a good habit in a reverse and succeed role? Successful habits can be any size, any shape, any measure of growth. For example - you want to read more on a topic of growth... so make it a habit to spend 15 min a day on that topic. After 14 days, you will find you have a hunger for more and it only cost you .... 15 min a day of focus on this new habit.

So - today you have an opportunity to do two things. When you acknowledge one of your personal "bad" habits, decide to be in awareness of it each day to attempt to overcome it by being in tune with it versus just sloughing it off as "it is what it is". And second, identify something you want to become a replacement habit on the good side of your ledger. Now make it a two week goal to apply some attention to it daily.

Successful habit for me will be focus on Action on my decluttering project in my home. Bad habit to be aware of is Procrastination. The one replaces the other. What will your plan be? Share if you like, to inspire others.

"There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people. " - Muhammad Ali

Straight up simple. Should you find yourself greeting an ill feeling toward someone, something or some event today - or you are in the middle of such a moment right now - pause for a self bettering effect.

Ask yourself, "What would I rather be thinking about than watering these negative emotions?"
Pause to identify your state - Who What Where When Why or How - you got here. And ... is it doing me any good to stay here?

Where is the nearest exit from the path I am on? Because there are more pleasant things to do than beating down my energy.

Sometimes we find moments where there are no distractions. As far as the eye can see.

In these moments we actually see much more, hear much more and our thoughts have this magic ability to produce much more.

Moments like this produce the simplicity we often need to win over the complicated. This morning my only puzzle piece in my life is which wave is going to reach my feet. ( the only angry I feel is why I haven’t made more conscious effort to be here more often)

We know what they hold - these moments that foster Reaching Thoughts. We know their value. Now we just need to dedicate time to staying in those like minded moments and running the program ... again and again.

Say that to yourself and feel how powerful it is. Believe it - and feel the rush. Now Go - and do what you were meant to do. Good afternoon, Greater Day and week. Greater You - Deciding to be a Greater You. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Author to my Day. “Tell ‘em I’m coming !”

Like in an old photo album...well that just kind of ages me... doesn't it? Idea is, go through some old photos, or some old contact lists of all those people you know. Your thoughts will lead the way on the path of memories that will just automatically play out before you.

It's our son's birthday today and my wife was looking back on pictures of his first - and the travels through the pages of memories was a fun trip to experience again. Makes the smiles of this special day a little brighter.

Awaken Your Day - Feb 11, 2017 "Miracles: You do not have to look for them. They are there, 24-7, beaming like radio waves all around you. Put up the antenna..., turn up the volume - snap... crackle... this just in, every person you talk to is a chance to change the world..."- Hugh Elliott

It cannot be just a momentary "oh what a nice thought" take away. It has to be something we train ourselves to believe. Every meeting a success is what Mike Lipkin says and .... it can be.

I used to often wonder how different our lives would be if one event in the past had been different... or had we met someone earlier in life ... like the concept so often in movies where you go back in time but be careful because changing one event changes the course of the future.

And that is the problem. Everytime we think of this we are contemplating on events in the past and imagining how it would be thus different now. "Oh what a nice thought"... But that is make believe. Now turn that around... think about the here and now.

Now is not "make believe" , rather if we think about our actions in this very moment...the right now, the here and now... and how our actions NOW can change the path of the future.... see...same game, just more realistic focus.... we go from make believe to Make It Happen.

And then right before our eyes... miracles take shape. Every person we meet, every dream we have, every goal we aspire to ... all of it gains progressive benefit and eye opening miracles if we apply the same energy to what can be versus what might have been.

Make It Happen. It is an action, not an "Oh how nice that would have been." Make it Happen.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater you - here and now and more possible - then and more so now. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

I believe there is one thing we overlook every day. We have but one life - and no matter what our Life Setting dial is set at right now - we need to try to remember to live some of each day or all of every day, to the fullest. Do something today to enhance your life experience. Please.

“Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”- Les Brown

First time I ever read this, I shook my head over how simple the statement was, how incredibly true it was, how obvious it was and how the hell had I not seen it so easily before.

I’ve told you about an old teacher of mine that gave you a 75% mark if you did exactly as told and the other 25% came from thinking for yourself and adding more. I began thinking more about what was beyond those 75% stars.

I’ve had a manager recently that always gave unrealistic deadlines for tasks and then on Thursday when we would advise It wasn’t quite finished but it would only take a little more , he’d say great, he needed it for EOD Monday - and the last bit shouldn’t be an issue with such great progress.
And we would finish the last 5%,or the touch ups, without stress, but now we could see his navigation charts for the moon and adopt similar patterns for ourselves.

Go for it. All of it. Your passions and drive will excite you and if you don’t make it to that goal checkpoint on that first nitro boost - pause, look around, and yell out, “Holy Shit!! Look how far I made it !”

Put the Dream back in drive and carry on.

Good Morning. Greater Day. Greater You - aiming for the Moon. AYD -Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

"We should give as we receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit th...at sticks to the fingers."- Seneca

We cannot hold back sharing the best of who we are. How else can we expect good acts and thoughts to grow? We must lead by example and recognize all that is worth sharing about who we are, whom our friends and family feel we are, whom our coworkers appreciate about who we are.

It gives a little more depth to the idea of "Be Yourself".

It is one more chapter in my growing and shaping philosophy, "What we do with what we are given." ( Alot more to come on this very soon.)

So today and this weekend - Be comfortable in your qualities - and in that comfort, Be Yourself, so that others can feel your influence. You will silently be giving a lesson on how others can 'give more' of themselves ... with no effort, and yet great benefit.

"The task of a leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." - Henry Kissinger

And on a Sports Saturday I think of our son's basketball coach and the great job he is doing - with our boy, and the whole team. I see they are learning, and listening and respecting as their skills grow with their smiles and effort.

And then my thoughts are drawn to our son’s other coaches from martial arts to summer sports. They too have been and are doing a fantastic job of bringing out the best in him – and all the kids working together.

And in that moment my awareness is heightened to all the leaders that affect our lives – even though it is not us they are leading, but those close to us.

Take a moment today to recognize and feel good about those leaders among us, and while we are at it, we may as well look inside ourselves and recognize moments where we are leading. Are we doing as good of a job?

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You – absorbing the leadership around you and the benefits it brings. AYD – Pierre Couturier – Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

"What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise."— Oscar Wilde

There are lessons and elements of growth in every experience we encounter. ( Often it is strength from the knowing you made it through.)

We must put more focus on how to recognize the growth element, and resist the urge we feel to bitch about the event.

If you are still standing after a fall, what value is there in crying about how badly it could have been or that you had to go through it at all? You are through it. Count those strengths instead of taking inventory on the events and rating each one for how bad you felt.

Just saying.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - Putting on you detective cap and finding clues to your control over all things past. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sidney J. Harris

A lot of time, we don't need some deep thought to motivate us or get us going. Part of my belief is that we just need a reminder or gentle push to ignite our own thinking and presto, magic can happen by our own thoughts plugging in. " Liiiiggght Buuuulb."

So Friday is here. Most people have a lot going on. With that the weekend will fly by and Sunday night will come and there could be that feeling, "AAAGGGGHHH!!! Where did the time go?! I have so much to do." So - the Pierre 51% rule takes effect. We know this is going to happen as it has before. Knowing it gives you 51% controlling interest in what happens next.

If you do nothing else today or this weekend, set aside some time for something that is all about you. Your project, your passion, your to do list to make you feel some sense of accomplishment. Feeling complete on some loose end or set aside project, is often a prerequisite for more AH HA moments.

Sometimes, you have to make You a priority, and not feel guilty about it.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You is a role model to share. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and .... Squirrel!!

Like minded. One of the keys to Success is being around like minded people. Establishing an environment of consistency on your path and frame of mind of those same thoughts and drivers that keep you in the zone and peak. But like minded environment goes beyond just the people around you.

In the mornings I try to give you some triggers to generate your desire for a better start to lead to a greater day. A good starting environment.

And sometimes words are hard. Sometimes we want to find that Rah Rah and Pom Pom shaking energy - and we just don’t know where we left them. Kind of like going to the coffee machine and realizing there is none.

So we need a jumpstart - like boosting your car. So create the great another way. This should help find your spark.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodor Roosevelt

It is good to dream big, or to want to do more for ourselves and others. It is often successful people telling us to dream bigger than we thought possible to push ourselves. Of this there is no doubt.

But often many people get grand visions and then get discouraged right away when they do not experience that immediate highlight reel success.... and then they let the Start Stop Them....because they compare their lack of progress to that other amazing story of growth and achievement they read so much about.

You can hang onto those great and grand plans and ideals - just begin first with what you know - and this will help you hold your grip. Pause to understand where you are right now and where that puts you on the timeline of that plan. Goal setting is key and one of the steps is to list out those contributing steps we must take on the journey to get to where we are going. Every contributing step leads you forward, no matter how small.

There has to be some focus and respect on each foothold as you climb a mountain - so too there must be the same attention to each footprint you need to make toward your destination.

It is not a setback to plan your attack. (Hey, i like that one!) And it starts with accepting where you are, what you have for quality inventory and drive, and where those elements enable you to place your first footprint into the adventure story you so long to write for your life and those that care for you.

Good morning, Greater day. Greater you - well that is just better for everyone around you. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Author to the map of my journey.

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”- (When Harry Met Sally, 1989)

When you feel passionate about something … it is one of the strongest driving emotions you will ever feel. Consider it for a moment and you have to agree.

Passion, moves you. Literally. Your mind races and you get off your ass and you do things. You become more, you think more off the charts and out of the box, you generate ideas and results like never before. You take action because you want to and you continue to take action because your energy makes you. You surprise yourself, you motivate yourself, you energize mind, body and spirit. It is a constant rush. ( read that again but faster - it's like you can feel yourself getting excited)

You feel joy. You share joy. You shine. Your senses are alive. You live like we are supposed to live. Now the million dollar WTH … knowing what we know … having felt that before for a love, a dream, a skill, a career … ( wait for it...)

Why are we not striving for that life altering, life bettering emotion is all we do? Why don’t we reach for that familiar Amazing when other elements of life are not peak? What is your passion? Any one of them will do… great things for you.

Awaken Your Day – embracing the passions in your life .. and let the rest of your life start now.

AYD - works for me. Rough sleep Refreshing shower Healthy breakfast Good lunch packed and bag prepared to go... Read a few pages in a book that I can’t wait get back to Bus on time. Warm cozy coat Good beats in my ears. Dark foggy winter drive - reminds me of working winter In Rainbow Lake. Exactly what I needed then. I smile at the memory of the stars. The peace in my heart. Time to change the music. Energy. No matter what today brings - I’m ready for my part. See you out there.

Relief ... now that I type it I start to question if I have spelt it correctly...it looks wrong...because it has been out of my vocabulary for what feels like a long time.

When you have a number of unfinished, yet all important tasks, that need your attention all at the same time. When you feel as though none of them are getting closure, and they all somehow have started to feel difficult. When you are not sure where to start one or finish another. When you start to pile on other items in your calendar, to the deadlines associated to the Existing Unfinished and you cannot seem to connect two thoughts together. When all of it clouds your vision, and you feel tired.

When you complete one of the items. Breath in feels deeper. A sense of relief. You complete another, and you realize ... that was not so hard. Relaxing exhale. Relief. You face another, and now you see there was only a handful, and not a mountain. The chains fall, and focus is more centered. Relief.

I realize I am the only guy that can take the WORD of the day and turn it into a run on sentence ... but painting the picture that wipes away the dew on the windshield is as much for me as it is you.

I can see. And more so, I can feel. I am relieved after having finally completed a couple of important tasks. Now I feel momentum. I have stretched before the big race so to speak.

And only a couple left ... I can do this. "I think I can...I think I can... "

Found this one from 2014. It’s like talking to an old wise man when we reflect on posts of wisdom from before. 😁 now I have to see if I can practice what I speech.

AYD - Jan 23, 2014 - Keep It Simple

"A smile is the shortest distance between two people."- Victor Borge

Grab it, and run with it where you may. I know someda...ys, we have to make the effort to give a smile.

Be aware of when you receive one. How do you feel? Watch reactions when you give one. What feeling do you see?
Pick someone who needs one. More than you. Assume the feeling it creates is a good one.
Simple enuf right? Now please....continue.

"Yeah, well, I've got a dream too. But it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. That's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And, well, I've found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. And it kind of makes us a family." - Kermit the Frog

What is your dream?
Does it bring you Joy to think about it, and work at it?
Share your joy with those that care.
And see how your Joy, brings them Joy, for all the belief they have in you.

Opportunity Monday. Yours for the taking and Sharing.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - living the dream and watching it grow. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

"I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top."- An English Professor

It is hard to get a do over with a full day - a report maybe, but not as easy with a full day. Be aware of your level of effort today - for your goals or a task - and let that awareness help you keep on track. We often dread tomorrow, knowing we have to make up the ground we somehow lost today.

Good Morning, Greater day. Greater you just flows along more efficiently.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Author to my Day.

"Stress can destroy much more than just our physical health. Too often, it eats away at our hope, belief, and faith."— Charles F. Glassman

Being stressed is most often an uncomfortable feeling. We know that. And very often we are most certainly not in touch with the consequences and how to connect these dots of awareness or repair.

While there are many kinds of stress, and many kinds of cures - one thing I believe will always assist is - Action. Stress will stop us in our tracks and kill our momentum... and lack of action obviously puts us further behind, and then stress compounds. It is not genius talk here, we know this... just not always in the stressful moment.

Lack of action and movement allows the cloud of stress to grow thick and coccoon you - and thus hope, belief and faith cannot be seen or felt. We are mummified. So keep moving. Don't be an easy capture. Without tackling a specific instance or circumstance this sounds pretty generic and "easy to say harder to do". Absolutely. So keep your eyes on that spot where stress cannot breathe. The spot you need to get to in order to be free of it. What is required of you to get there?

And don't stop. Hope Faith and Belief live because you can see the spot because you didn't stop and you did not turtle to the attack. Just keep moving.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - knowing what you know and where you have to go. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

"Forgiveness does not exonerate the perpetrator. Forgiveness liberates the victim. It's a gift you give yourself." - T.D. Jakes

I'm not big on it. Still working on understanding my stand on it. How I define it. I don't think I look at it as "forgiving" because I have not dealt with the sound of it... it sounds like I am OKAY with the offending person, place or thing. Nope. Nope nope nope. There are some people in this world that have done me wrong...or you... and they need what's coming to them.
Okay, so now that I have that out... I can say, cool, that is my position. I don't like them. I hope the world balances things out because these people or events are just wrong.
Okay. Now I have stated my thoughts. Done. Done done done. Move on. Don't dwell. Do not be consumed. See what you have now, in front of you. You survived them or that and thus you are stronger than you can see... because you can't see light or clear when all you focus on is anger.

So if you are uncomfortable with the emotional shape that "forgiveness" paints in your heart ... that is fine. We can work on it. But for now, acknowledge your feelings but do not overlook your wins because you are looking backward.

Part of "forgiveness" is simply not putting all your strength into holding the noose around the neck of a bad memory. You have a life to live. You got through some crap, don't you owe it to yourself to live in this present moment for awhile?

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”―Maya Angelou

I would like you to imagine…it’s all about you.
Right now if you have the moment…or later when you can make time. When you can … it’s all about you.

I want you to imagine you are in front of a room full of people … it’s your audience, they are there to see you, so you decide how big the crowd is. After all, it’s all about you.

You are nervous, I get it. I will be too, when the time comes. So to calm your nerves, find a familiar face. If it helps, imagine I am sitting there … in about row 5 and bang on center. I am there to hear you. There to support you in all you do.

All about you.

As if you are there to inspire - you and those listening - with a tale of a life you see .... tell it like you feel it inside. Give it water, give it life, voice it. Let it breathe.

Tell me ... tell you ... about the life story yet to be lived. No limitations. No wishing. No dreamy make believe. Tell your tale as IT WILL BE. How do you feel? How does it sound? Make it real. The way you want it to be.

And once you have allowed this, once you have given it a chance to be heard .... once You have heard it ... end your presentation with a display of intention. Let your audience know ( this includes you) that there is an update coming. There will be news to follow up on. Like an ending of a movie that is left open, inviting you to be anxious ... for the story does not end here.

Leave us both wanting more. Hear it loud, "What is next?"

And now ... having enjoyed your story, and been whisked away on an energy surge of motivation to look more closely at my own ... now that we have bought into this passionate display of self belief and intention ... now we take out our complimentary workbook, and we begin...

Good morning, Great Day. Greater You ... telling an untold story of a life that is coming soon. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

Word of the day - Enthusiasm.
Now go ahead. I dare you.
Write it on your hand.... Put a sticky note on your desk, or in your lunch.

E-N-T-H-U-S-I-A-S-M
I don't care how you do it.... but remind yourself today to show it. Often. Think about it. Who, What, Where, When, Why and How ought to cover it.
With everything you do this day, and the thoughts you are planning for the weekend... add Enthusiasm to your recipe. Add it to your To Do list.
I will wash the dog with...you guessed it, Enthusiasm. I will finish that report with ... oh, I know!!! Enthusiasm.
It is the word of the day.
And most often, without us even knowing, the most forgotten ingredient to the recipe of a great day.

“You should never do something kind in the hopes of recognition. Do it because it’s right. Do it because it makes you feel good. “- Scooter Braun

A large part of AYD is about self growth with self awareness and recognition. So I often ask you to dig deep and look at yourself in ways you may not have in order to see value we thus may not have seen.

And then use that Awakening sight.

What might we do today? What opportunity might present itself to us, so that we can do something kind? Now that we are thinking about it ... I guess we will See.

“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me.”- John Wayne

I wasn’t always aware. Aware of the ripple effect my life and decisions would have on those that were close.

I’ve learned a lot over the years. My understanding and awareness have grown. Thankfully.

So today I look upon Mr. Wayne’s comment and I can focus on today. This moment. This life we are living in the here and now. I can think of my family and those I hold close in my heart. And I can think about how I’m living this life, with a smile. I think they would say I’m doing alright by them. I need to reach out to a few of them more often but I think they can respect what I’m trying to do.

So starting your Opportunity Monday with some inner peace on the love you give and respect you have earned - might be as good as that coffee. Maybe, a good frame of mind will help it and the day become better still.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - recognizing the effort to live with Meaning. AYD-Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day. “Are you waiting, or are you Creating?”

“It’s not differences that divide us. It’s our judgements about each other that do. “- Margaret J. Wheatley

While we are busy with plans of betterment and change and goals etc - shall we consider this often overlooked and silent relationship killer? Judgement. Most often made worse when combined with speculation and assumption. Horrible gang of thieves these guys.

They steal rational thinking, and logic, and credibility. Common sense gets a few stab wounds along the way too.

Quite simply - when you find yourself in a situation that sparks your defensive emotions - before rushing to judgement - assess. Assess what you know about the
Who,
What,
Where,
When,
Why and
How things are playing out.

The worst thing is you might come up with a more Quality Question regarding the situation. From that you may prove or disprove the judgement that was coming. But at least you can say you didn’t lose your value to the thieves before putting up a skilled attack.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

"In the end, only three things will matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you." - Jack Kornfield

While your mind and intentions are still set on the New Year, and new starts - it is a good time to spend time with examples of how you love, some gentleness in your living, and what kind of burdens and conflicts you can release.

Identify and become aware. Then you have the sight to make the decisions very clear.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - just putting in some self time. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day. "Are you waiting, or are you Creating?"

“The real value in setting goals is not in their achievement. The acquisition of the things you want is strictly secondary. The major reason for setting goals is to compel you to become the person it takes to achieve them,”- Jim Rohn

Easily one of the most complete and favourite comments I have ever read. This is so much part of the philosophy behind AYD, and what I have been learning within.

Enjoy the Journey to all the things you want in your life.

It takes practice to do this - don't get me wrong. But it starts with growing our awareness so it becomes more automatic to you, more second nature to be in this mindset - and in there we start to see things differently.

Maybe this is where my belief started to take shape. Start by Awakening Your Day by your rules and your pattern for Success, and the rest of the day will fit that mold, as You Shape it.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - all along the way. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Something Borrowed - due to computer glich and my fading memory this morning, please enjoy this rerun from last year while I try to retrieve the million dollar wisdom statement I had planned for today. Good morning.

Awaken Your Day - Jan 2, 2017 - Yes You Are

"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - A.A. Milne, Author

Reflection. Sometimes we need to look back in a moment of quiet and actually look at how far we have come, what we have lived through, what we have endured and in all that, how we have grown. When we do this we find confidence in our abilities as we see from a different angle, those life experiences we have journeyed through.
Life has given you challenges - and you are now more brave to stand up to new ones that present themselves because of rising above before. You are stronger emotionally, and with your self worth because of those challenges - all of them. And we often do not see how life smart we have become, until we look back and recall our decisions along the way ... to get us through, to get us over, to get us excited and motivated.
As you begin a new chapter now, do not just make promises of good intent to relieve some self created pressure. Look at what you truly have within you to make these "promises" achievable ... introduce yourself to the HOW and WHY you will succeed and then watch your plan become much more believable to You.

As you start a new year, week, task, search or goal or day ... one of the most amazing and ROI giving skills you can practice is listening.

One of the greatest things I have ever heard is the often quoted expression, that most people do not listen to understand, they listen to respond. So often our brains are already mounting a comment, argument, rebuttal and debate before we have absorbed and processed the incoming communication.

This is in our work, and our homes. In our conversations and when listening to the radio and reading headlines in the paper. With our work relationships, and with our loved ones.

It takes but a moment more to get all the details - to hear the tone, to take it all in. And then, have your turn.

The value to be gained can be immense. Listen first to understand, and not to respond. If you are not convinced, watch how you feel when you get short changed before you made your point.

"I am committing to my days, all that I can give - and the clarity that I attain from that will help me embrace all that my day commits to me. We hope to share here with you some little gesture to start you off in the right direction each day. A quote, a thought, an observation… it is our desire to give you a variety of influence to ignite all of your senses as you greet the mornings and embrace everything that is before you each ...and every day."- Pierre R. Couturier

A New Year begins on Opportunity Monday. Kind of a win win we can say. To begin the year I had to go back to where AYD started. To gather the ideas unfinished … the plans not completed … the visions not colored in. To realign, and remember the purpose – and once again to touch the passion that initiated it for me. For the time to make things grow is now.

Opportunity Monday.

Gather close your successes. Lay out your goals and desires. Get cozy with the idea that you have learned, and earned, and have the ability to reach.

Awaken Your Day – every day – and see what doors you open for yourself.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You … because you can. AYD – Pierre Couturier – Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

"I got kicked out of ballet class because I pulled a groin muscle. It wasn't mine." - Rita Rudner

And you are wondering ... "What??"
I got nothing. I'm not feeling well. It's cold as H up here and just as cold at home. It's dark. It's a promise of a long, cold, winter day. I don't see alot of Oh Happy Day just springing up to be plucked and sniffed and spread through the air. It does not look promising.

So I guess, I'm just going to have to change that. Make a change, before you pull a groin muscle.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - recognizing where you are, and feeling empowered still to want to do something about it.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

"Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter." - Harold Kushner

Too early for that kind of deep thought? Ya, maybe. However, instead of fully wading into that pool until we are neck deep, just tip your toe in the water.

And when it touches, and creates the ripple ... think of three things that give you meaning. Three things in your life where you feel connected, and purposeful with. Three things that generate that emotion in you - the one where you know you matter.

See, it doesn't have to be a deep pool of thought to get us going - just follow the ripples.

Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - just dangling your feet in the water. AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

There are a lot of motivating comments, suggestions, and inspirations moving around right now. A lot of value to be absorbed.

It can be overwhelming - as we sift through it all to find that piece that is just right for our needs.
Stay calm. Do not stack it all up and try to carry it with you.

Might I suggest you do not add to your stress by trying to introduce too many inspirational tools to work into your plans for a better you.

Start small and be consistent. Don't wait but don't overpromise. This business of "New Year's Resolution" can be quite pressure filled. Start small - start with recognizing that any step forward is... forward. This is not a free pass to accept less than you can offer yourself, rather it is an idea that is often overlooked as we strive for unreachable goals that we set too high.

Take a step of action - no matter how big - recognize that you did make motion forward - BUT then take another step.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Never put off until tomorrow, that which you can do today.
You see, many of the inspired moments you will hear right now, compliment each other. Not separate messages, but rather partners in successful growth.

Take a step, see what you can see, feel good for the step is now accomplished. Look at the map of the goal checkpoints, and take another step. Recognize how it worked. Get your feet steady and stay balanced, get comfortable in the surroundings. Ready, set ... and another.